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In D40 whitebalance menu,I found values like +3, +2, +1, 0, -1, -2, -3 in each setting. Does that represent values related to Kelvins?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I haven't found a reference for what it is exactly, but it's certainly not +-3 degrees kelvin, that would not be a noticable difference. It might be that each step represents 100 degrees, or perhaps more. \$\endgroup\$
    – Guffa
    Jul 28, 2014 at 22:17

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That's a warmth adjustment that lets you "fine tune" the white balance for aesthetics (as opposed to accuracy). You might find that a value of "+1" (a little warmer, approximately the same as an 81A filter) gives more pleasing (or healthier-looking) skin tones than the flat "0" setting does, or that a +2 or +3 makes autumn foliage look better. You may find that winter landscapes look a little more "wintery" with a setting of -1 or -2 (cooler than the "accurate" value). It's most useful for JPEGs, of course; with NEFs you can alwayss fine-tune without penalty in post-processing.

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They are relative numbers intended to shift color temperature by perceptually uniform steps.

There is an underlying unit called the Mired and each step corresponds to an undisclosed number of them. This is in contrast with fixed steps in the Kelvin scale which would not be perceptually uniform.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Great answer! But, I want to know... Would the 0 be fixed? Or "Auto"? (if you get that I mean) \$\endgroup\$
    – BBking
    Jul 29, 2014 at 2:23
  • \$\begingroup\$ 0 is relative to the chosen WB. Each Preset, for example, Cloudy corresponds to a certain color-temperature in Kelvin. An adjustment of 0 means that there is no offset. It works similarly to EC where WB Fine-Tuning is adjustment over the set (Preset) or metered (Auto) value. When you set a Kelvin temperature explicitly, many camera disable adjustments. \$\endgroup\$
    – Itai
    Jul 29, 2014 at 2:29

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